Political Quotes

“today, I would like to recognize the life of an exceptional woman: Karen Lewis. Most remember Karen as the fiery president of the Chicago Teachers Union who led the 2012 strike. Karen always fought for what she believed. She devoted her career to education and people. Her commitment to her beloved teachers was her North Star. Most will remember that Karen was no stranger to challenge. She attended Mount Holyoke College before transferring to Dartmouth College as a member of the first coeducational class in the institution's history. She had the courage to try her hand at medical school before finding her calling in teaching. As a new member in her teachers union, Karen did not hesitate to stand up when she thought something could be done better and ran for union offices as a member of the Caucus of Rank and File Educators, CORE. However, this was only one side of Karen Lewis. In many ways she was a true renaissance woman. In Karen's love of opera, her musical skill playing both flute and piano, her love of languages, her conversion to Judaism, and her passion for professional tennis, you could see the many facets of her life. But, above all else, I will remember Karen as a friend to both Loretta and me. In 2014, she was diagnosed with gioblastoma, a cancerous brain tumor. I remembered her diagnosis when many months later my colleague, Senator John McCain, faced the same challenge.…”